# We don't need no blooming onions. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 10, 2002, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778 "2002-04-10T03:11:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/81 "2002-04-11T13:08:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by essvee \* > \*\*does anyone else find ‘chocolate thunder from down under’ hysterically funny? \*\* I will occasionally use this phrase after an abnormally vigorous bowel movement, as in “Don’t go in the bathroom for a little while, dear; there was some Chocolate Thunder from Down Under.” My wife hates this. It amuses me, though. I think the five-year-old is gonna start using it. **Cosmopolitan** , I recall reading that a Bloomin’ Onion[sup]TM[/sup] has as much fat in it as 14 steaks. Just some food for thought. ---
**Author:** ![BeerFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@BeerFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeerFan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/82 "2002-04-11T13:11:51Z")
**Narrad** This wouldn’t be a brothel/whorehouse would it? BeerFan ---
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/83 "2002-04-11T13:29:43Z")
Hey, cut us some slack here! We know that Outback has nothing to do with Australia, and that it’s all just a marketing angle. I must say, though, that I’m surprised that they have these down in Oz. I mean, I can’t see this being well-received. Outback’s just another of the billions of family restaurant chains, and their marketing gimmick is that it’s “Australian”. Hey, we’re not falling for it here in the States, either! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/84 "2002-04-11T14:52:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BeerFan \* > \*\ ***Narrad** > > This wouldn’t be a brothel/whorehouse would it? > > BeerFan \*\* :eek: I think the residents of Rooty Hill, Blacktown could be a little upset at your description of their charming suburb. ---
**Author:** ![Bhudda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@Bhudda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bhudda)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/85 "2002-04-11T15:13:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Colibri \* > \*\*The most amazing thing about that menu is . . . > > THERE’S NO FRIKKIN’ MUTTON ON IT! > > Not even a lamb chop! > \*\* Actually, they do have lamb chops. That is why I dislike Outback. The one time I have been, we waited for ever, the service was poor and the lamb chops. God, how could someone ruin meat that badly. I love mutton and lamb. I have cooked it in a variety of ways and it always make tasty food. But for the love of God, Outback ruined those lamb chops. ---
**Author:** ![BeerFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@BeerFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeerFan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/86 "2002-04-11T15:13:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Narrad \* > \*\*:eek: I think the residents of Rooty Hill, Blacktown could be a little upset at your description of their charming suburb. \*\* Narrad, I respectfully withdraw my query and offer my apologies to any residents of the Rooty Hill, Blacktown suburb who might have taken offense. This exchange seems to have drifted slightly off topic so is there an Outback Steak House there? ---
**Author:** ![Kepi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kepi/32/7251_2.png) [@Kepi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kepi)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/87 "2002-04-11T16:16:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aspidistra \* > \*\*Now, this time two weeks ago I was in an American-themed restaurant - the Lone Star Steakhouse. Dead ruminants all over the walls and semi-naked poster-people all over the dunny walls (the guys with me were quite miffed - they only got ONE semi-naked chick in the restrooms, but the the girls got FIVE studs). I suppose that’s high culture, ay? Ay? \*\* Lone Star Steakhouse is a perfect example of a company in one region taking the “culture” of another region and passing it off as the “real thing”. From their [web site](http://www.lonestarsteakhouse.com) : > [@](#): > > Our restaurants embrace a Texas-style concept featuring Texas artifacts and music. The exciting and vibrant atmosphere created by the restaurants’ “Texas Roadhouse” ambiance is enhanced by specially selected upbeat country western music and neon signs. The decor includes planked wooden floors, “dim lighting,” flags and other Texas memorabilia, all of which enhance the casual dining experience and establish a distinct identity for our concept. It’s interesting that you won’t find a Lone Star Steakhouse anywhere in the Lone Star State. They’re afraid to come here because they know we’ll see right through their phoney Texas swagger. We know the “real thing”. Hell, we **ARE** the “real thing”! Lettuce wedge with blue cheese dressing, indeed! If you want a “real” Texas steakhouse experience, I suggest you stop by and see us here in Fort Worth if you get the chance. I’ll happily point you to [Cattlemen’s](http://www.cattlemenssteakhouse.com/), complete with its fiberglass cow perched on the roof, or William’s Ranch House with its “oil baron” decor stuck happily in the 1950s ("Hey, isn’t that Jett Rink and Bick Benedict over at that corner table?). I would even point you to a [Trail Dust](http://www.traildust.com) or a [Saltgrass](http://www.saltgrass.com) if you insisted on a chain steakhouse. At least they’re based in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Bhudda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@Bhudda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bhudda)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/88 "2002-04-11T16:58:11Z")
Or perhaps Texas Land and Cattle, Kepi? ---
**Author:** ![Kepi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kepi/32/7251_2.png) [@Kepi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kepi)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/89 "2002-04-11T17:09:55Z")
Never been to Texas L&C, Bhudda. But since they’re based in Dallas, I would assume they are the real Texas deal! ---
**Author:** ![Bhudda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@Bhudda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bhudda)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/90 "2002-04-11T19:47:25Z")
They are very nice, at least the one in Euless was. Not too badly priced, either. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2002, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/91 "2002-04-11T20:49:46Z")
“Meat raffles” = the best prospective band name I’ve seen so far on these boards. "Ladies and gentlemen! All the way from Sydney Australia! Put your hands together for… _The Meat Raffles!"_ ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/92 "2002-04-12T04:05:05Z")
reprise writes: \> I’m not sure the US has any equivalent of our service clubs. \> Think mini-Vegas. They usually have a large poker (slot) \> machine area, a cafe, a bistro and a restaurant, plus an \> auditorium and function rooms. Some have sporting complexes \> and gymnasiums attached. They rely largely on gambling \> revenue (the drink prices are cheaper than average) and \> organise activities like bingo and meat raffles during the \> daytime. Most people in metropolitan areas will live somewhere \> reasonably close to a club and convenience is a big attraction \> (we have tough drink-driving laws here) along with the \> relatively cheap prices for food and drinks. One of the reasons that you won’t find similar things in the U.S. is that the places that you can find slot machines are pretty limited. Yes, anywhere in Nevada and in Atlantic City, New Jersey, but in general gambling isn’t allowed (with some minor exceptions) other than in a casino, and casinos aren’t thought of as family-type locations. They’re limited to very specific locations in ways that differ state to state. In many states they’re not allowed at all. Oddly, a number of casinos are run by American Indian tribes. Some of the minor exceptions are bingo parlors in certain states, which are always run by nonprofit organizations (frequently Catholic churchs), and horse racing tracks. ---
**Author:** ![BalmainBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@BalmainBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BalmainBoy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/93 "2002-04-12T07:13:23Z")
As a mini-hijack to the last poster, after a WordPerfect training course where one of the names used was **Wendell Paella** , the local smartalec called me ‘Wendell’ the rest of the time I worked there. Im amazed that someone has taken it on voluntarily ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/94 "2002-04-12T07:25:56Z")
> [@](#): > > Lone Star Steakhouse is a perfect example of a company in one region taking the “culture” of another region and passing it off as the “real thing”. This argument would have more moral weight if there weren’t a bazillion companies in Texas taking the “culture” of Texas and passing it off as the “real thing” to the endless delight of Texans. America leads the world in the art of feeding people an experience instead just feeding them food, and Texas leads America because Texans will buy horse shit if you stamp the words TEXAS PROUD on it. Of course I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I only posted this because as a Texan, I love to talk about Texas. -fh ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/95 "2002-04-12T07:41:35Z")
Still haven’t got a responsefrom Outback Syeakhouse - way to build customer relations guys. Just out of interest, what return must poker (slot) machines pay in the US? Here it’s around 87% (ie, 87% of money put in must eventually be paid back out in minor or major payouts). My son informs me that we have a Chilli’s in Sydney and his friends are saying good things about it. Will have to check it out. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778/96 "2002-04-12T23:00:14Z")
BalmainBoy writes: \> Im amazed that someone has taken it on voluntarily It’s my real name. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-need-no-blooming-onions/102778.md?page=4)